Couple photoshoot in Barcelona

Two people walking is the easiest thing to photograph in this city, provided the walk goes the right way. Barcelona faces south-east, so a morning walk starts at the water and heads inland, and an evening one starts in the narrow streets and climbs. Choose one. The morning version gives you Bogatell with the sun coming out of the sea and nobody on the sand, then the Born and the Gothic Quarter while they are still a cool light well and the shutters are down. The evening version gives you the old town warming up and Montjuïc for the last hour, looking back over the roofs. Either way you are not posing in front of a landmark with a queue behind you; you are two people crossing a city that happens to be lit well at that hour.

When to book in Barcelona

October is the month we would choose: the sea is still warm, the light has softened and the city is quieter than at any time since spring. May, June and late September are close behind. In July and August the morning is the only comfortable option — the sun is up around half past six, and by ten the beach is full and the air heavy. Winter is underrated for couples: clear, mild days and a sun low enough that the last hour on Montjuïc begins in the middle of the afternoon. If the forecast in autumn shows a storm, it usually passes within the day, so we move the hour rather than the date.